Device for monitoring the state of a system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for monitoring the state of a system ( 2 ), in particular safety switches for monitoring the closed state of safety equipment ( 2 ) of a machine ( 3 ), wherein the device ( 1 ) is provided with a switch head ( 10 ) and an actuator ( 8 ), which can be brought into interaction with one another and thus control the device ( 1 ). The invention is characterized in that the switch head ( 10 ) is provided with an optical signal means ( 14 ) for optically signaling an operational state of the device ( 1 ) the actuator ( 8 ) is provided with a light-guiding means ( 28 ) having at least one entrance window ( 32 ) and at least one exit window ( 34, 36 ), and in a state of the device ( 1 ) in which the switch head ( 10 ) and the actuator ( 8 ) are interacting with one another, the light emitted by the signal means ( 14 ) enters, at least in part, via the at least one entrance window ( 32 ) and exits via the at least one exit window ( 34, 36 ).

The invention relates to a device for monitoring the state of a mechanism, in particular a safety switch for monitoring the engaged state of a safety device of a machine.

Safety switches are used for monitoring the state of a safety device of a machine, for example such as for monitoring the engaged state of a safety door of a safety enclosure for a machine tool or an industrial robot. When the safety device is in the engaged state, the safety switch can provide an enable signal for the operation of the machine. When the safety device is disengaged, the safety switch interrupts one or more electric circuits, for example by means of an electrical contact pair that are actuated by means of positive locking or by means of an electronic switching element. The enable signal is then no longer provided. The associated machine can then be transferred to a safe operational state, for example it may be turned off, or the turning on of the machine may be prevented.

In some applications, it is necessary that the engaged state of the safety device be detachably fixed, for example when, in an operational state of the machine, the disengagement of the safety device is to be prevented. The fixation is only removed and the safety device can only be disengaged when the machine is at a complete standstill.

In the case of safety switches having mechanical actuators, such a fixation or guard control is achieved by locking the mechanical actuator in a state in which it is inserted into the switch head for example. Alternatively, a guard control using magnetic force is possible in the case of mechanical actuators; but in particular in the case of electronic actuators. A corresponding guard control system of a safety switch is known from DE 101 46 828 A1.

As a rule, the safety switches are connected to higher-level control systems, to which output signals are transmitted and can also be indicated there on display means. If an operator wishes to know the current state of the safety switch and the guard control for example, he does so using the control system.

EP 0 990 835 A 1 discloses a mechanical, electromechanical or otherwise driven device, which consists of at least two parts that can be moved towards one another, and waveguides inside the parts. These waveguides are disposed in such a way that in a specific position, the light waves pass through all partial waveguides and are detected. In the remaining positions, the passage of the light waves is inevitably interrupted.

DE 196 49 593 discloses a locking mechanism for controlling access to working equipment, wherein the locking mechanism has an optical sensor having a transmitter and a receiver.

Only when the locking mechanism is in the engaged state, in which the operation of the working equipment is enabled, does the receiver receive coded optical signals that are emitted by the transmitter, the output signal of which is read into an evaluation device. The operation of the working equipment is blocked or enabled by means of the evaluation device.

FR 2 684 167 A discloses a device having two connectible profiles made of aluminum, wherein fiber optic elements are disposed in the two profile pieces in such a way that, when the profiles are connected together, an optical contact bridge is formed.

DE 692 01 486 T2 shows an electromagnetic closing device having an electromagnet, which is disposed in an elongated, channel-shaped housing. The housing and the electromagnet have elongated projections and/or recesses, which interact with one another in such a way that, with the exception of the longitudinal movement, any movement of the electromagnet is prevented.

The object of the present invention is to provide a generic device, the operating states of which can be safely determined with the least possible effort, and nevertheless on an ongoing basis.

The object is achieved by the device defined in claim 1. Special embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a device having a switch head and an actuator, which may be brought into interaction with one another and thereby control the device. For example, the switch head may be disposed on a fixed part of the mechanism, for example on a frame of a protective screen, and the actuator may be disposed on a safety door, which can be moved with respect to the frame. When the door is closed, the switch head and the actuator are in interaction with one another, so that the device indicates the engaged state of the safety device to a higher-level control device.

According to the present invention, a part of the device, in particular the switch head, has an optical signal means for optically indicating an operational state of the device. For example, operational readiness and/or the engaged state of the safety device may be indicated. The other part of the device, in particular the actuator, has a light-conducting means, which has at least one entrance window and at least one exit window for the light emitted by the optical signal means. In one state of the device, in which the switch head and the actuator are in interaction with one another, in particular in the engaged state of the safety device, the light emitted by the signal means enters into the light-guiding means by means of at least one of the entrance windows, and is guided by this light-guiding means to at least one of the exit windows, where the light exists and therefore the signal from the optical signal means can also be perceived in the engaged state of the safety device.

The optical signal means is preferably disposed on the switch head, which already has an electrical energy supply due to the other functions thereof. By contrast, the light-guiding means may preferably be disposed on the actuator, which for example is disposed on a movable part and in particular, which need not have an electrical energy supply.

It is advantageous that optical signaling by means of the device according to the invention is also possible, when the optical signal means is covered by the actuator in the state, in which the switch head and the actuator are in interaction with one another, in particular in contact with one another. In addition, the optional plurality of exit windows makes it possible to emit the optical signal in different directions, for example simultaneously, both inside and outside of the safety device. At the same time, the optical signal means is disposed such that it is protected against contamination, damage and/or manipulation. In one embodiment, the entrance window and/or the exit window are flush with the surface surrounding them. Both contamination of and damage to the light-guiding means is thereby reliably prevented.

In one embodiment, the optical signal means is disposed on the switch head and at least one entrance window is disposed on the actuator in such a way that, in the state of the device in which the switch head and the actuator are in interaction with one another, the optical signal means and the entrance window are disposed opposite one another. An advantageous coupling of the light emitted by the signal means is thereby ensured. At the same time, the optical signal means is covered by the actuator and is thereby protected against contamination and damage.

In one embodiment, the beam direction of the light exiting the exit window runs at an angle, in particular transversely as compared to the beam direction of the light generated by the light source of the optical signal means. The optical signal can thereby be emitted in different directions, in particular also in those directions, which cannot be covered by the optical signal means in the engaged state of the safety device for example. The beam direction is preferably deflected by the light-guiding means, for example by means of appropriate reflecting surfaces or partially permeable sections.

In one embodiment, the optical signal means has a light source and an additional light-guiding means. A light exit window may follow the additional light-guiding means or the additional light-guiding means itself may form the light exit window. A light emitting diode may be used as a source for the optical signal means, preferably a light emitting diode, which emits light signals of different colors depending on the control. Like the light-guiding means in the actuator, the additional light-guiding means may be made out of a plastic that is transparent to visible light, for example out of polymethylmethacrylate.

In one embodiment, the light-guiding means has a beam splitter, in particular in the form of a prism, which splits the light that enters by means of the entrance window to at least two exit windows. It is also possible that the optical signal means likewise has a beam splitter; in order to allow the light emitted by the light source to exit to more than one light exit window. In particular when an efficient light source is used, the distribution of the emitted light beam into a plurality of partial beams is not detrimental to the visibility of the optical signal. If necessary, critical operating states may be signaled by a special light color and/or by increased light intensity and/or a pulsed light signal.

In one embodiment, the switch head is disposed, at least in part, in a groove of a profile, for example of an aluminum profile, as is used in industrialized building. The profile may be part of the device, but at the same time may also be part of the safety device by means of a corresponding mounting. In the state in which the switch head and the actuator are in interaction with one another, an light exit window of the optical signal means is covered by the actuator, which is likewise disposed, at least in part, in a groove of a profile. The arrangement in the groove of a profile ensures an especially space-saving construction. Moreover, not only the optical signal means, but also the switch head and, if applicable, the actuator, are disposed such that they are effectively protected against contamination and, in particular, against damage.

In one embodiment, the device has a guard locking device for detachably fixing a predefinable state of the mechanism, in particular the engaged state of the safety device. In any case, a state of the guard locking device can also be signaled by means of the optical signal means, for example the state “Guard control ready”, “Guard control activated”, “Amount of clamping force sufficient”. The amount of clamping force can also be optically signaled, for example by means of a special light color and/or with increased light intensity and/or a pulsed light signal.

In one embodiment, the guard locking device has a magnet, preferably disposed in the switch head, which, in the state of the device in which the switch head and the actuator are in interaction with one another, can be brought into an operative connection with a counter element or cross element of the actuator that conducts the magnetic flux.

The magnet may, in particular, comprise an electromagnet, which attracts the counter element of the actuator, and when energized, fixes said counter element in the attracted state. This state may be indicated by the optical signal means and emitted in different directions by the light-guiding means.

In one embodiment, the switch head has a read head, which, in the state of the device in which the switch head and the actuator are in interaction with one another, is in an electrically contactless interaction with the actuator. To this end, the actuator may have a transponder, which is encoded with a unique identifier. The state of a successful decoding, and therefore acceptance of the actuator by the safety switch, may also be indicated by the optical signal means.

Further advantages, features and details concerning the invention arise from the dependent claims as well as the following description, in which a number of embodiments are described in detail based on the drawings. In so doing, the features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention either individually, or in any combination.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a schematically illustrated overall assembly of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a switch head disposed in a profile,

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged illustration of details of the optical signal means,

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged illustration of details of the read head,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an actuator,

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged illustration of a cross section through the actuator,

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an actuator, and

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through the actuator transverse to the longitudinal axis of the switch head.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a schematically illustrated overall assembly of a device 1 for monitoring the state of a safety device 2 for a machine 3, in particular of the engaged state of a safety door, with which a space separator can be locked, for example in order to protect the operator from being endangered by the machine 3 that is operating.

The safety device 2 has a first part 4, for example a frame. The first part 4 has an opening 5, which can be closed by a second part 6, for example by a safety door, which can be moved relative to the first part 4 according to the double arrow 9 and which may be movably mounted by means of mounting elements 11; alternatively to being slid open and closed, the safety door may also be pivoted.

The device 1 preferably has a switch element 7 disposed on the fixed first part 4 of the safety device 2, which switch element comprises a switch head 10, as well as an actuator 8, which is preferably disposed on the movable second part 6, which actuator can be brought into operative connection with the switch head 10 when the safety door is closed, and which thereby controls the switch element 7. The switch element 7 may either turn the machine 3 on or off itself, or may do so by means of separate switch elements or by means of a secondary or higher-level control device.

In the embodiment, the actuator 8 has a transponder 66 (FIG. 7) not shown in FIG. 1, which can interact with the switch head 10 in an electrically contactless manner, said switch head having a reader coil 30 (FIG. 4). An interaction is thereby only possible, when the safety device 2 is engaged. In a first operating mode, for example, a switch element is engaged by means of the interaction between the actuator 8 and the switch head 10 when the safety device 2 is engaged, and an enable signal is thereby provided for the operation of the machine 3. When the safety device 2 is disengaged, the interaction is interrupted, the switch element is disengaged and the machine 3 is shut off.

The device 1 may also have a guard control, by means of which the engaged state of the safety device 2 can be releasably locked. The guard control may be implemented mechanically, for example preferably by a positive locking fixing of the actuator 8 to the switch head 7, or by means of a magnetic force.

The switch head 10 has an optical signal means 14, which has a light source 46 and a light-conducting means 48, which guides the light from the light source 46 to the surface of the switch head 10. In the engaged state of the safety device 2, the light 26 that is emitted by the signal means 14 can enter into the actuator 8 by means of the entrance window 32 and after being deflected 90° by a light-guiding means 28, can exit at the two exit windows 34, 36. Thus the signal from the signal means 14 can thereby be perceived even in the engaged state of the safety device 2, both inside and outside of the safety device 2, regardless of the fact that the signal means 14 is covered by the actuator 8.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a switch head 10 disposed in a profile 12 and FIGS. 3 and 4 show an enlarged illustration of details of the switch head 10. The optical signal means 14 is disposed in a groove 16 of the profile 12. Likewise disposed in the groove 16 is an electromagnet of a locking device having a pole shoe 18 for releasably fixing a predefinable state of the safety device 2. In addition, the read head 20 is disposed in the groove 16. The optical signal means 14, the electromagnet and the read head 20 are preferably implemented in a single assembly and are electrically connected by means of a shared connection line 24 that extends along the groove 16. In particular, individual components may each be cast individually connected to one another by means of the casting compound 30 or may even be cast in the profile 12.

The signal means 14 comprises the light source 46, which is disposed on a printed circuit board 44, which light source may also be a multi-colored LED if necessary. The light emitted by the light source 46 is guided by means of the light-guiding means 48 to a light exit window 22, which is flush with the surrounding surface of the switch head 10.

The read head 20 has a solenoid 40 disposed on a printed circuit board 38, which is covered by means of a cover 42, which is flush with the profile 12. The solenoid 40 may exchange signals with a counterpart disposed on the actuator 8 in an electrically contactless manner, for example by means of a transponder 66.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an actuator 8, which can be brought into interaction with the switch head 10 in FIG. 2 and which thereby controls the device 1. The actuator 8 is likewise disposed, at least in sections, in a groove 62 of an additional profile 52. The actuator 8 has a cross element 54, by means of which the magnetic flux, which is emitted by one pole shoe 18, and enters an adjacent pole shoe 18, can be conducted, and which cross element is attracted when the electromagnet of the switch head 10 is energized and held in contact with the pole shoes 18, so that the safety device 2 is locked shut. The cross element 54 is fixed to the additional profile 52 by means of a fastening element 60, wherein the position along the groove 62 can be fixed by means of the fixing element 64.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged illustration of a cross section through the actuator 8 in the region of the light-guiding means 28. The contour of the light-guiding means 28 is adapted to the contour of the surrounding fastening element 60 in the region of the light 26 emitted by the signal means 14, and in the embodiment, this contour is curved with the exception of a central planar section, the extension of which is adapted to the size of the light exit window 22. The incident light is split by means of reflection at a beam splitter 56 into two partial beams that extend perpendicular to the incident light, which partial beams each exit the light-guiding means 28 at an exit window 34, 36. The contour of the light-guiding means 28 is adapted to the surrounding fastening element 60 in the region of the exit windows 34, 36 and is curved in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an actuator 108 in the engaged state of the safety device 2, thus in contact with the switch head 10 from FIG. 2 disposed in the profile 12. The assembly in FIG. 7, consisting of the switch head 10 and the actuator 108, form a safety switch, by means of which the locked state of the safety device 2 may not only be fixed, but this state can also be signaled to a higher-level machine control.

The actuator 108 is, in particular, provided in order to attach a preferably plate-shaped second part 6 of the safety device 2 to the front side, for example to the front side of a glass door. The second part 6 can be moved by means of a handle 78 disposed on a handle plate 76. The second part 6 may be a swinging door, a lift gate or a revolving door, for example.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through the actuator 108 in FIG. 7, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the switch head 10, in the region of the light-guiding means 128. Corresponding to the light exit window 22, the contour of the light-guiding means 128 in the region of the light 26 emitted by the signal means 14 is initially centrally planar and then curved. The incident light is split by means of reflection at a beam splitter into two partial beams that extend perpendicular to the incident light, which partial beams each exit the light-guiding means 128 at an exit window 134, 136. The contour of the light-guiding means 128 is adapted to the surrounding fastening element 160 in the region of the exit windows 134, 136 and is essentially planar in the embodiment.

The actuator 108, in particular the associated fastening element 160, has an essentially U-shaped cross section with two brackets 72, 74, between which the second part 6 of the safety device is accommodated. The two brackets 72, 74 have a plurality of elongated holes 70, preferably disposed equidistantly on the brackets 72, 74, which holes are paired with one another. Essentially cylindrical fastening means 80 are inserted into the elongated holes 70, by means of which fasteners the actuator 108 may be firmly but movably attached to the second part 6.

The actuator 108 can be pivoted, relative to the second part 6, about a first axis 82, which extends at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the actuator 108 and, in the embodiment, extends perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 7, and/or which axis can be pivoted about a second axis 84, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuator 108 and, in the embodiment, extends perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 8. To this end, both brackets 72, 74 have surfaces on their inner sides, the spacing between which surfaces increases in the direction of the free end of the brackets 72, 74. The inner surfaces of the brackets 72, 74 thereby also form a stop for the pivoting movement around the second axis 84. In addition, the actuator 108 can be displaced along a direction 88 that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the actuator 108; the actuator 108 can thereby be deflected when the second part 6 is closed after contact with the switch head 10 and in particular, may be held, spring-loaded, in contact with the switch head 10, in particular on the pole shoes 18. To this end, the actuator 108 may have a spring element, which, in particular, may be disposed between the fastening element 160 and the front end of the second part 6, and may be formed by the fastening element 160 as a single piece. 

1. A device (1) for monitoring the state of a mechanism (2), in particular safety switches for monitoring the engaged state of a safety device (2) of a machine (3), wherein the device (1) has a switch head (10) and an actuator (8), which can be brought into interaction with one another and thereby control the device (1), characterized in that the switch head (10) has an optical signal means (14) for optically indicating an operational state of the device (1), and in that the actuator (8) has a light-conducting means (28), which has at least one entrance window (32) and at least one exit window (34, 36), and in that, in a state of the device (1) in which the switch head (10) and the actuator (8) are in interaction with one another, the light emitted by the signal means (14) enters, at least in part, by means of the at least one entrance window (32) and exits by means of the at least one exit window (34, 36).
 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical signal means (14) is disposed on the switch head (10), and at least one entrance window (32) is disposed on the actuator (8) in such a way that, in the state of the device (1) in which the switch head (10) and the actuator (8) are in interaction with one another, the optical signal means (14) and the entrance window (32) are disposed opposite one another.
 3. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam direction of the light exiting the exit window (34, 36) runs at an angle, in particular transversely in relation to the beam direction of the light generated by a light source (46) of the optical signal means (14), in particular, in that the beam direction is deflected by the light-guiding means (28).
 4. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical signal means (14) has a light source (46) and an additional light-guiding means (48), which forms a light exit window (22) of the optical signal means (14), or to which a light exit window (22) is connected.
 5. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-guiding means (28) has a beam splitter (56), in particular in the form of a prism, which splits the light entering by means of the entrance window (32) to at least two exit windows (34, 36).
 6. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch head (10) is disposed, at least in part, in a groove (16) of a profile (12) and, in the state in which the switch head (10) and the actuator (8) are in interaction with one another, a light exit window (22) of the optical signal means (14) is covered by the actuator (8), which is preferably also disposed, at least in part, in a groove (62) of an additional profile (52).
 7. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) has a guard locking device for detachably fixing a predefinable state of the mechanism (2), in particular, of the engaged state of a safety device (2) of a machine (3), and in that a state of the guard locking device can be signaled by means of the optical signal means (14).
 8. The device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the guard locking device has a magnet, preferably disposed in the switch head (10), which, in the state of the device (1) in which the switch head (10) and the actuator (8) are in interaction with one another, can be brought into an operative connection with a counter element (54) of the actuator (8) that conducts the magnetic flux.
 9. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch head (10) has a read head (20), which, in the state of the device (1) in which the switch head (10) and the actuator (8) are in interaction with one another, is in an electrically contactless interaction with the actuator (8). 